Plastic ocean: Threats and options for action

• Autor(a) principal: Runge, Hanja Larissa
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/19845
• topic: Durability of plastic; Trash vortex; Dead zones; The Great Pacific Garbage Patch; Microplastic; Plastic footprint; Initiatives and NGO's; Marine plastic pollution; Plastic waste; Marine litter; Durabilidade do plástico; Vórtice do lixo; Zonas mortas; A Grande Mancha de Lixo do Pacífico; Microplástico; Pegada plástica; Iniciativas e ONGs; Poluição de plástico marinho; Resíduos de plástico; Lixo marinho

In the past years, the global problem of marine plastic pollution received more and more public attention. Various attempts have been made on regional, national and international level to address the issue. However, we are looking at a complex problem with various sources and pathways. Nonetheless, since most of the plastic ending up in the ocean originates from land-based activities, it seems clear that the problem has to be solved on land. This work indicates that only a holistic approach can solve the issue of marine plastic pollution, involving various actors from industry, politics and communities. However, legal research reflects, that most of the existing agreements lack effective enforcement, measurable targets and control mechanisms, therefore an efficient implementation and enforcement of existing frameworks needs to be ensured. Furthermore, we need to change our consumer behavior and no longer treat plastic as throw-away product. NGOs can play an important role in providing information and raising awareness. Moreover, it is crucial to involve local communities in protecting the marine environment and make use of their specific local knowledge. In addition to that, it’s important to help developing countries with implementing waste management systems.